Operating means for inclinable mattress sections



Feb.-"26,11946. M, T WLDO 2,395,699

OPERATING MEANS FOR INCLINABLE MATTRESS SECTIONS Filed Sept'. 2, 1941 4Sheets-Sheet 1 3 v26"" 27 '53 2* v ,MIZ-* Z ECS',

Feb. 26, 1946.* M. T WALDQ 2,395,699

' OPERATING MEANS FOR INCLINABLE MATTRESS SECTIONS I Filed Sept. 2, 19414 Sheets-Sheet 2 M. T. WALDO Fak. 26,

OPERATING MEANS FOR INCLINABLE MATTRESS SECTIONS Filed s ept. 2. 1941 4Sheets-Sheet 3 M. .T. WALDO F eb. 26, 1946.

OPERATING MEANS FOR TNCLINABLE MATTRESS sEcTToNs Filed sept. 2, 194i 4Sheets-Sheet 4 m. mm 7 Patented Feb. 26, 1946 OPERATING MEANS FORINCLINAELE MATTRESS SECTIONS Mabel Theresa Waldo, Chicago, Ill.,assigner of one-fourth to Harold 0. Mulks, Chicago, Ill.

Application September 2, 1941, Serial No. 409,182

, 2 claims. (c1. 5-77) This invention relates to mattresses, and itsobjects are:

First: To provide a mattress with a separately i constructed section,adapted to support the head, trunk and arms of the occupant, that can behingedly connected to the stationary part of the mattress in such mannerthat it can be inclined in a vertical plane, either for comfort, or tomeet the needs of invalids or ailing persons.

Second: To provide a manually operative device for inclining andmanipulating the inclinable section of a mattress constructed as abovedescribed, detachably connected to the mattress, and supported by aframe, detachably connected to the head board of a bed, which will yielda sucient mechanical advantage to render the inclinable section of themattress easily manipuvlatable.

with the upper surfaces of the inclinable and stationary sections.

Fifth: To construct a mattress of the character above described in sucha manner that it can be completely enclosed by a uid-proof covering whenthe inclinable section is inclined and when it is reclined.

With the above specified and other objects. in view, this inventionconsists: in the novel construction of a mattress that is adapted to besupported by a bed frame of ordinary construction, of two sections, insuch a manner that one section that is adapted to support the head,trunk and arms of the occupant, may be inclined; and in the novelconstruction of a fluid-proof covering therefor; and in the novelconstruction of a hinge joint between the two sections of the mattress;and in the construction of a novel device to manipulate the inclinablesection of.

the mattress; and in the novel construction of resilient members tosupport the. inclinable'section of the mattress; and in the novelconstruction of intermediate connectors, adapted to transmit motion fromthe manipulating device to the inclinable section of the mattress; as ishereinafter disclosed, described and claimed. It is my intention toclaim not only the objects, uses and functions that are hereinspecifically described and enumerated, but also every object, use andpurpose to which this invention and each distinct part thereof may beadapted.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a fragmentary longitudinal section, taken on the line I-I ofFigure 2.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan View of the mattress and the manipulatingdevice, partly in section.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the frame, by

which the manipulating device is supported, clamped to the head board ofa bed.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Figure2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of the modified form of thetransverse member 32.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on Athe line 'I-l of Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure '7.

Figure 9 is a sectional viewA taken on the line Y 9 9 of Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a sectional View taken on the lin ID-IU of Figure 2.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line II--I I ofFigure 2. o Fig. 12 is a perspective of the mattress in a closedposition, enclosed in its cover. Y

Fig. `13 is a perspective of the mattress in an open position, enclosedin its cover.

Fig. 14 is a sectionalview taken on the line* I4-I4 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken on the line I5-I5 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 16 is a view of the apron which encloses the space between thestationary part of the mattress and the inclinable section.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the numeral I5 designates thestationary or main body portion of the mattress, and I 8 designates theinclinable section thereof. The upper head-end portion of the member I5is provided with a recess, substantially equal in length to the lengthof the member I8, and to a depth substantially equal to the thickness ofsaid member, and is adapted to receive and support the member I8, whensaid member is reclined, and the member I Iil is hingedly connected tothe member I5 on the upper edge of the declivity of the recess formedthereon, as is shown in Figures 1 and: 1,1.

The width of the member I8, is substantially equal to the width of themember I5, and the length of the member I8 is substantially equal to thelength of the recess formed on the member I5, and the member I8 is soshaped and dimensioned that its sides, head-end and upper surface aresubstantially flush, when it is reclined, with the correspondingsurfaces of the member I5. The member I8 is connected to the member l5by ahinge-joint that is formed of the series o transversely aperturedlugs 2l that are attached to section I8, by any suitable means, anddisposed transversely and substantially equdistantly, and that projectlongitudinally; and a series of transversely apertured lugs 29, attachedto the stationary part l5, by any suitable means,

and disposed transversely and substantially equidistantly, and thatproject oppositely, to series 2=I and are so arranged in spatialrelation to series 2l that the apertures in one series coincide with theapertures in the other series, and the projections of one series arereceived in correspond- ,inginterstices of the other series, and formthereby substantially a continuoussurface. The transverse bar I9 extendsthrough the apertures in the two series of lugs and is compactly securedin ,position on both sides of the mattress, by any suitable means. f V

By this Vmeans the section I8 'may be rotated -on the rod I9 as itsaxis, within limits hereinafter stated, and a hinge-joint is therebyformed that is sufficiently stable and durable to withstand the stressesto which it is subjected, and Ylateral motion in the section t8 inrelation to section I'5 is restrained.

Section I8. is supported by a rectangular Vframe `composed of twovlongitudinal members 22', 22 (one of which is shown in Figure 1)-,that-are con*- nectedV by any suitable means to the transverse members22,22-, cross `sections of which are shown in Figure 1. The supportingrods 23, 23, with eyes 23', 23 integral therewith, are rigidly se-'cured to an outer transverse member 22 of Athe frame. A transverselifting member 24 -is `inserted through the eyes 23', 23', and issecured in position by a spring Cotter 24.' in order to provide'a meanswhereby the member 24 caribe readily removed, and themanipulating-device lcan be ldetached from section I8.

A bed frame I6, constructed Ain the ordinary manner, supports themattress I5 by transverse members 3|. In 4order'to preventthe'stationary part of the mattress from being `mcvedwlfien section I8isbeing inclined, the part I5 is -se- -cured t'o the frame I6 by straps6I. Theghead board I1 of the bed is connected to the frame by anysuitablemeans.

To the head board I1 of the bed, a rectangular metallic frame -35 issecured by brackets 31, 31, 31, and wing nuts 38, 38, 38. The frameconsists of two upright vmembers 41; 41 that arecon- 4'nected by thehinges 5|, y5I to the upper transverse member 48A of the frame, and aredetach- Yably connected to the lower transverse member I50 by the tenons`55 and 56, and secured thereto by the rods '53` and 54, or by any'other suitable means.

The interior sides of the vertical members 41, 41 ofthe frame 35 aremortised, vas shown at 58, 58, to engage thereby the tenoned ends of the.vertically operative member 32, whichis apertured annularly, andinteriorly threaded at 29, as is shown in Figure 5. Thevertically-operative'member 32 comprises a :cross-shaped and vinteriorlythreaded nut 29, which Ais threfadedly 'connected on either side toadjustable and detachable arms A screw shaft '35 is verticallypositioned in the frame 35, so that its axis is substantially in linewith the longitudinal axis of the mattress, and is journaled inthe upperand lower transverse members of the frame at 36, 36, as is shown inFigure 3. The screwk shaft 38 interpenetrates and engages threadedly the'cross-shaped nut 29, in the vertically operative transverse member 32,as is shown in Figures 5 'and 6. The lower end of the screw shaft 3U isthreaded at 33, as is shown in Figures 4 and 1, in order that it may beengaged by the worm 44, that is rigidly secured to the transversedriving member 43. x

. The horizontal driving member 43 is supported by vhangers 4I, 4I thatform sliding rits with the brackets 4G, 45, which are made integrally,with the lower transverse member 50 of the frame. The hangers 4I, 4I aresecured in position to the brackets 40, 4B by set screws 412, 42.Longitudinal motion is restrained 'in the transverse member 43, and saidmember is securedfin yposition by spring cotters 46, 4B. The'en'dyof theYtransverse member li3 -is squared at '45, in order that 'it `may beengaged yby a socket -in a Wheel or'crank, as a prime mover. Thevertically operative transverse member 32 from which, b'y meansofintermediate connectors, motionis transmitted to the lifting member 24'that is 'connected to the inclinable section of the mattress, canfthusbe manipulated by turning the prime mover.

The linkages 25'., l2li a're' pivotally connected respectively 'to themember 32, on veither 'side of the vertical member 30, `at pointssubstantially equidistant from the axis of said member and vpivotallyconnected `to 'the transverse member `24. Each of the linkages 126',26', comprises: a bar `251that is pivotally connected'to a lbar 21, at26; and'leach is provided with an adjustable elliptical Aspring `63'that `is positioned between 'the interior surfaces. of the bars 25 and21, as is shown on Figures 5,'8'and 9.'

Each of the springs 68 is constructed of two semi-elliptical leaves,that are joined `at their Aends `by longitudinal rivets 13, 118, whichpass -through the leaves and'retaining washers 1-1, 11.. Annul'arapertures are made in the joints iat' each end to receive thecylindrical rod 116. :A helical spring 19 is positioned around the'member 16 between the headffl thereof and a retaining washer 11, at oneend of each of the springs 68', and-between a nut 80 and -a.retainingvvasher 11 at the other end of each of the springs 68.

One'en'd of each of the members 16 is threadedly 'engaged by a nut BEI,Vwhereby Vthe tension ofthe spring 68' may be regulated and adjusted.Each ofthe elliptical'springsf' is :rigidly secured to a brace-68 by abolt 1-l vthat passes through the Ilower 'leaf 1D and the brace 68, andis secured on the opposite side by a nut 12.V The braces 68, 168, areintegrally formed with the -links v21.

The undersidesof the members 2-5, 25am-charnfered so as to formarcedrecesses therein, the length, width and ydepth of each of which is suchthat it is adapted to receive, substantially onehalfof'the periphery ofthe corresponding-'leaf '69,as shownin VFigure '1. i

Rollers 14, 14 are suspended by shafts 15, 15

Ythat extend between the downwardly projecting lugs or hangers 13,v 13,13, 13` that are integrally formed on each edge of each of the leaves59, 69, substantially at the apexes thereof, as is shown in Figures 7, 8and 9. Apertures are formed in the members 69, 69, substantially at theapeXes thereof, that are adapted to allow segments of the rollers "I,11i to project therethrough and above the apexes of the members 59, 59,so as to form rolling contacts with the members 25, 25 in the chamferedrecesses 51, 51 thereof.

When section I8 is reclined the centers of the pivot pins 25, 26 liesubstantially in the plane of the longitudinal axis of the members 35;and the longitudinal axes of the members 25, 25 are substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the members 21, 21, as isshown in dotted lines in Figure 1. The elliptical springs 68', 68'perform the dual function of rendering the linkage resilient and also ofchecking and retarding relative motion between the members 25, 25 andthe members 21, 21, suiciently to transmit motion to the transverselifting member 24 when the screw actuated elevating mechanism ismanipulated. When the elevating mechanism is manipulated, the members25, 25 are therebyT subjected to a stress, and each of the springs 58",58 is compressed and moves in relation to the corresponding member 25until its tension withstands the stress to which it is subjected.

Each of the upper leaves 69, 59 is provided with a roller 11i in orderthat it can readily move into such position. By turning the nuts 80, 80,the tension of the springs 68', 68can be varied and adjusted inaccordance with the load that is being carried by section I8, and theaxes of the members 25, 25 can be thereby caused to remain substantiallyat right angles to the axes of the members 21, 21, when section I8 isinclined. The springs 68', 68' will check and retard relative motionbetween the members 25, 25 and the members 21, 21, when the resilientlinkage is being elevated and when section i8 is carrying any load thatit is designed to carry, as long as the longitudinal axes of the members25, 25 form substantial angles with a perpendicular. Thus by adjustingthe tension of the springs 58', 68', so that the longitudinal axes ofthe members 25, 25 form angles of substantially 90 degrees with thelongitudinal axes of the members 21, 21, the resilient linkage can beelevated as long as the angles formed between the longitudinal axes ofthe members 21, 21 and the longitudinal axes of the member 38 aresubstantially less than 90 degrees. The length of the member 30 is suchthat when the upper edge of the nut 29 is in contact with the uppertransverse member 48 of the frame, that the angles formed between thelongitudinal axes of the members 21, 21 and the longitudinal axis of themember 3!) are substantially less than 90 degrees.

In order to provide a means whereby all parts of the mattress may beprotected and preserved in a sanitary condition, when the inclinablesection I8 is inclined and when it is reclined, a covering I' made ofany fluid-proof fabric is provided that is dimensioned to iit themattress as a unit. The cover comprises a casing adapted to cover,enclose and fit the main-body portion of the mattress, and to encloseand t the recessed head-end of the main-body portion, and a casingadapted to cover, enclose and t the inclinable section of the mattress,the top of which is integrally formed with the top of the casing for themain-body portion of the mattress. A rectangular apron 52, that is madeof the same ymaterial as the covering I5', with tapered ends, formedintegrally therewith, and adapted to enclosefthe space between thesection I8 and the stationary part I 5 when the section I8 is inclined,is detachably connected on its upper edge to the coverking I5 by aplurality of studs and grommets 62'. The lower edge of the apron 62 issecured to the covering I5 in a similar manner. ,Aperturesare madein thecovering I5', suiicientto allow the supporting rods 23, 23 to projecttherethrough. The upper part of the covering I5', is secured to theinclinable section I8 by a plurality of studs and grommets 56. The lowerpart of the covering I5 is secured to the corresponding part ofthestationary section I5 of the mattress by a plurality of studs andgrommets 65. That part of the stationary section I5, that is adapted tosupport the inclinable section I8 when reclined, is beveled at 63,- onboth sides and the end thereof, to form recesses into which the apron 62can fold when the section I8 is reclined. The apposed'surfaces of theinclinable and stationary parts of the mattress are covered withcoverings 63', 53', made of any suciently durable material. Themouth-end of the mattress is completely covered by the rectangularlyshaped part 64 of the apron 62, as is shown in Figure 1.

Having thus completely and accurately described my invention, what Iclaim is:

1. Anarticulated mattress of the kind described comprising a main bodyportion provided with a recess on its upper head-end portion, adapted toreceive and to support an inclinable section, an inclinable sectionhingedly connected to said main body portion on the upper edge of thedeclivity of said recess, and adapted to be received in said recess, andadapted to be rotated around said hinged connection, and so shaped anddimensioned, that its sides, head-end and upper surface aresubstantially flush, when it is reclined, with the correspondingsurfaces of the main body portion, a frame to support said inclinablesection, connected thereto, and connected with a lifting member that isadapted for engagement'with a manipulating mechanism, a hingedconnection between the inclinable section and main body portion thatcomprises a series of transversely apertured lugs, transverselydisposed, and projecting longitudinally, and secured to the inclinablesection; which lugs are received between the interstices of a series oftransversely apertured lugs, transversely disposed and projectingoppositely longitudinally, that are attached to the stationary section,and a transverse bar extending through the apertures in the two seriesof lugs.

2. A device of the kind described, for resiliently manipulating andsupporting an inclinable section of an articulated mattress, comprisinga rectangular frame composed of two upright members and two transversemembers, and adapted to be secured to the interior side of the headboard of a bed, and provided with mortises on the interior sides of itsupright'members for engagement with the ends of a vertically operativetransverse member, to restrain rotatory motion of said transversemember; a vertically positioned screw shaft journaled in the upper andlower members of said frame substantially in the center thereof, thatinterpenetrates and threadedly engages said transverse member, providedVwith threads on its lower end for engagement with a transverselypositioned screw actuating driving member; a two-bar linkage pivotallyconnected to said vertically-operative transverse member on l essere@eaeh side of fsaid `vertically positioned screw shaft, substantiallyequidis'tant therefrom, anni pivotally connected to a lifting 'memberLsecured to the inclinable section Vof the mattress; lan adjustableelliptical spring positioned 'between the interior y'surfaces of 'thebars of each of said linkages, whereby the inclinable section of themattress can be resiliently manipulated and 4supported by saidlink'agesg/the bar of each of said linkages adiacen't to said liftingmember, being provided 10

